2013 Chevrolet Spark will have a starting price of $12,995

When the Chevrolet Spark minicar is launched in the U.S. this July, it will have a starting price of $12,995 (including shipping costs), lower than its rivals in this expanding segment. GM’s price for the Spark is lower than those of its minicar rivals. The Scion iQ has a price tag of $15,995, the Smart ForTwo is priced at $13,240, and the Fiat 500 is available for $16,200.

All these prices include shipping charges. In a statement, GM said that the Spark will be available in three trim levels. There would also be just a few options offered in order to simplify pricing and packaging. All the trim levels include the 1.2-liter, four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. For just $925, the buyer can get a four-speed automatic transmission for any trim level.

GM also provided more details about the trim levels. The LS is priced at $12,995. What comes with the base model are air conditioning, power windows, 10 airbags, electronic stability control and several more safety features.

The 1LT midrange model is offered for $14,495. It comes with the LS features plus Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system that comes with a seven-inch color touch screen, Bluetooth, a USB port and Sirius XM radio. The top trim level—the 2LT – costs $15,795. For this price, the customer gets leather heated seats, 15-inch alloy wheels and exterior improvements such as silver-painted roof rails and beltline molding.

The other options that are available include a $75 engine block heater and $195 black granite paint. Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet global marketing, said in a statement that the company aimed to simplify the steps in selecting a Spark by cutting the number of stand-alone options and offering more standard content to each trim level at a competitive price.

GM expects that the Spark will appeal to those who live in the city and who want parking and maneuvering to be easy. The Spark is offered in Europe, Asia and several other overseas markets.

Press Release

2013 Spark Packs Technology and Features into Small Price

Chevrolet is taking the guesswork out of the car-buying process with a new, simpler approach to pricing and packaging for the 2013 Spark. When the mini car goes on sale later this year, Spark will be available in three well-equipped trim levels starting at $12,995 including destination.

Spark is a sporty, fuel-efficient, four-passenger, five-door hatch designed to excite first-time car buyers and city dwellers with bold styling, attention-grabbing colors – including Salsa, Jalapeno, Denim, Lemonade and Techno Pink – engaging driving dynamics, the personalized connectivity of MyLink, and the safety of 10 standard air bags.

Spark also offers more passenger and cargo room than other mini cars such as the Fiat 500, Smartfortwo and Scion IQ.

“With the Spark Chevrolet has the opportunity to connect with a new generation of car buyers who expect more from every product they purchase,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Global Marketing. “So we wanted to make the process of choosing a Spark as simple as possible by reducing the number of stand-alone options and providing more standard content to each trim level at a competitive price.”

On the interior, leatherette seats and heated front seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel

A 4-speed automatic transmission is available on all models for $925. The only other available options include an engine block heater for $75 and Black Granite paint for $195.

Chevrolet MyLink in the Spark will include Pandora internet radio and Stitcher Smart Radio apps. Later in the model year, the recently introduced GogoLink – an embedded smartphone application that delivers full-function navigation including live traffic updates – will be available. Pricing for GogoLink will be announced later.

Spark is the only car in its segment to provide the added value of a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and the safety and security of OnStar.